Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Water levels at Burrendong are noticeably below historical averages. At 31.6%, the facility only holds 1,190 GL. This lower-than-average capacity may trigger preliminary water-saving advisories in New South Wales if dry conditions persist.
Agriculture in the surrounding areas of New South Wales depends heavily on the water security provided by Burrendong. Irrigation allocations are directly tied to these storage metrics. Without the buffer provided by this massive 1,190 GL storage, regional farming would face extreme volatility.
The surrounding catchment of Burrendong also supports diverse local flora and fauna. When capacity allows, Burrendong becomes a hub for regional tourism and water sports. Authorities must constantly balance the need for human water consumption with the ecological necessity of maintaining healthy river systems downstream.
Current local temperatures are sitting at a moderate 17°C. With 0mm of recent rainfall and clear sky skies, the catchment is relatively dry today.
The Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlooks will play a pivotal role in predicting the future inflows for this catchment. Continuous telemetry and advanced hydrological modeling are employed to forecast storage changes. Resilience against extreme weather events remains the ultimate goal for the managers of this critical infrastructure.